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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,October 16,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Curtis stated the whole house is within the average lakeshore setback. <br /> Sue Dunkley noted the whole house is also within the 0-75 foot zone. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the fact that the majority of the house is in front of the line is a practical difficulty. <br /> Thiesse commented the applicants could not meet those two setbacks even if they wanted to. <br /> Thiesse stated the next issue is the retaining walls in the 0-75 foot area. Thiesse commented the area <br /> appears to be relatively flat based on a photograph he has seen. <br /> Curtis illustrated the area where the retaining walls would be extended. <br /> Sue Dunkley pointed out that there are 11 stairs that go down currently. <br /> Leskinen stated someone's physical limitations are unfortunate but that she is not sure it rises to a <br /> practical difficulty inherent with the property itself to justify the continuation of the retaining walls. <br /> Thiesse asked if there is a way to install a ramp. <br /> Curtis indicated the applicants are allowed by code to construct a lift. <br /> Landgraver stated he does not recall granting a variance in the past to allow this kind of access. <br /> Curtis stated the situation on Kelly was a grandfathered situation where walls were repaired and there was <br /> an existing pathway that had been in place for quite a while. The homeowners had maintained that with <br /> their project. <br /> Landgraver asked if that was a fairly steep hill. <br /> Curtis indicated it was not and that it was an existing situation. <br /> Thiesse asked if the only reason the walls are necessary is due to the ramp. <br /> Mark Howry pointed out there is a 13-foot grade change from the high point and that the Dunkleys do <br /> want to have handicap access. In addition,the property on Kelly Avenue is not even a half mile away and <br /> it does have a switch back,which is one reason why they proposed what they did. Howry stated he <br /> realizes there are a lot of variances going on but that they are requesting it because of the existing walls <br /> and that there is a precedent on Kelly for the switch back. <br /> Thiesse noted the Planning Commission cannot consider the Kelly Avenue situation because it was an <br /> existing condition that is being maintained. Thiesse stated this property already has a number of walls. <br /> Howry stated there is another switch back on Bohn's Point Road. <br /> Curtis noted the City did not approve the switch back and that they were repairing existing retaining <br /> walls. <br /> Page 14 of 32 <br />